Bill setting guidelines for surrogate birth advances

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The House has backed a proposal to create the regulatory framework for surrogacy births in Louisiana, edging the bill one step from final passage.

Approval from the House in an 88-4 vote Wednesday came over objections from religious groups who raised ethical and moral concerns about surrogacy - and who heavily lobbied lawmakers to reject the measure.

Lawmakers sided with the pleas of their colleague, Norco Sen. Gary Smith, who has two children with his wife through surrogacy and who sponsored the legislation.

Rep. Walt Leger says surrogacy births are currently taking place in Louisiana without clear guidelines on the legal rights of the parents, the surrogate or the child.

After more than 14 days without phone service and the inability to use a medical alert system, a 96-year-old New Orleans woman's son turned to the FOX 8 Defenders for help. We got the family answers and action right away.

After more than 14 days without phone service and the inability to use a medical alert system, a 96-year-old New Orleans woman's son turned to the FOX 8 Defenders for help. We got the family answers and action right away.